Mercedes B200CDI vs Octavia 103TDI wagon

[VAG newbie]

I wouldn't choose Mazda over the any above mentioned. Never choose the car based only on the looks or just because it's a popular or my mates have it.

Agree. Mazda 6 was eliminated long time ago in my shopping list. Ssomehow I just don't like the look of Mazda. At first glance, yes it is sporty and dynamic, but after 2 weeks, it starts to look out dated.

However, the CX5 is high on my wife's shopping list. The only thing that is not perfect is the small boot, only 405L!! As we travel a lot and my kids practically bring their bedroom with them, we need a decent size boot. Our current XC60's boot is just barely managing. I think that is the problem with Mazda's swooping line, that you end up with less space for the sake of look.

[popeclement]

In your first posting you mention VW reliability - I think this is becoming a bit of a red herring. Probably more correctly you should be looking at the projected annual kms you believe the new vehicle will do and whether more stop start city work or longer fwy/country runs. I would only choose a diesel if the latter 'box' is ticked.

I have driven my friend's B200 Turbo with CVT transmission - while no fan of any self shifting transmission, I found it surprisingly quick off the mark and a ripper on the open road. Build quality was good and there is a difference between MB and VW sourced products in this area.

And it is very roomy inside.

I keep seeing the CX5 and cannot help thinking the frontal treatment looks 'duckish'. I am sure it is a very capable car but if I was going down this path would choose the Xtrail - same dollars and much more load space.

[Transporter]

Agree. Mazda 6 was eliminated long time ago in my shopping list. Ssomehow I just don't like the look of Mazda. At first glance, yes it is sporty and dynamic, but after 2 weeks, it starts to look out dated.

However, the CX5 is high on my wife's shopping list. The only thing that is not perfect is the small boot, only 405L!! As we travel a lot and my kids practically bring their bedroom with them, we need a decent size boot. Our current XC60's boot is just barely managing. I think that is the problem with Mazda's swooping line, that you end up with less space for the sake of look.

What about a base model Touareg? Yes, it costs bit more, but it won't be out of fashion that soon as sedans or wagons, so you can keep it longer.
...and it has even bigger boot. The fuel economy is 7.6L/100km, not bad for the size of the thing.

Ours, is MY08 and after 80,000km it feels, drives, look like new. What is the best is that despite of the new model is out, I don't feel the urge to replace it with the new one.

[dArK5HaD0w]

Agree. Mazda 6 was eliminated long time ago in my shopping list. Ssomehow I just don't like the look of Mazda. At first glance, yes it is sporty and dynamic, but after 2 weeks, it starts to look out dated.

u mean "it LOOKS sporty and dynamic".

no idea bout the soon to b released mazda6, but the old 6 definitely lacks sporty & dynamic performance. i loved the luxury sport and almost bought one, infact i had put a deposit on one. glad i didn't go ahead with it.

good thing u eliminated it from ur shopping list!

[Jake02]

but the old 6 definitely lacks sporty & dynamic performance.

Eh? The current 6 drives the best out of any non-sporting mid-size car; it has excellent dynamics. Granted, it's not that fast but meh. Like you, we almost had a 6 in the driveway.

[woofy]

We had a series II 6 from 2006 until last year and the car was faultless, not one issue and drove OK, better than the Honda Euros at the same time, not even going to mention the Aust built cars in the same group.

I got the Skoda as it had some character, something that the 6 was missing. Our prior 323 had the character though but was a special model.

My Hyundai Santa Fe falls into a similar type group as the 6, although the 6 was more refined. It works ok, but things like a trip I did today to get some bread and milk in the Skoda ended up with me halfway to the city on the freeway just caused I missed driving it. That never happened with the 6 and wouldn't in the Santa Fe either.

[Ocy_RS_TDi_Kombi]

A Ford Mondeo maybe an option. My wife has one as a company car and I'm impressed - Zetec Ecoboost hatch. It's smoother, quieter and rides much better than the Octavia plus it's lots bigger, almost Commodore/Falcon in size inside. The boot is similar in size to the Ocy wagon and in a wagon the Mondeo is bigger. The 2.0l turbo is punchy and not bad on fuel.

It's not as sporty or quick as an Ocy RS, but a Titanium Ecoboost hatch would cost approx $40k, has lots of cool features (lane departure, swivel lights, front & rear park assist, etc) and is a bargain compared to similar priced cars. Have a look at one.

[Mysticality]

My TDI ended up being $42k on road.
I swapped an '07 Rio, '10 Sorento and '02 Galaxy Grand Tourer (dad's old Caravan) for my Octy. Paid zero.

[VAG newbie]

In your first posting you mention VW reliability - I think this is becoming a bit of a red herring. Probably more correctly you should be looking at the projected annual kms you believe the new vehicle will do and whether more stop start city work or longer fwy/country runs. I would only choose a diesel if the latter 'box' is ticked.

I have driven my friend's B200 Turbo with CVT transmission - while no fan of any self shifting transmission, I found it surprisingly quick off the mark and a ripper on the open road. Build quality was good and there is a difference between MB and VW sourced products in this area.

And it is very roomy inside.

I keep seeing the CX5 and cannot help thinking the frontal treatment looks 'duckish'. I am sure it is a very capable car but if I was going down this path would choose the Xtrail - same dollars and much more load space.

Based on many sources, such as JD powers, new car buyers guide, plus horror stories from friends, I got the impression VW reliability is shocking. I don't know how true is that as I have never own one. If it would at least have the reliability of the Volvo XC60, Passat wagon is a very good choice. It has huge boot (608L), pretty much every thing we needed, especially when GPS and RV camera becomes standard in MY13, and you can add safety features such as city emergency braking as an option, and I can still walk away with changes to spare fro $50K. Hmm...perhaps I should open a forum in the Passat section and ask for people's experience with it's reliability.

The new B200 doesn't use CVT, but a 7 speed automated manual, similar to DSG, which is called DCT in Mercedes term. This should make it faster. But Passat should be $3000 cheaper than the Merc. Question is, how is VW's reliability compare with Merc?

Agree with the duckish look on CX5. Was looking for a description of it's weird look. Mazda tries to make it cheetah like, but, yes, duck is the right word. Nah, won't consider X-trail. Had it for rental car once, my boy calls it a "truck"! I don't think my wife will drive it.

[Mysticality]

2012 or 2013 X-Trail has 4 cameras, on all sides of the vehicle.
Why have reversing cams when you can go nuts, 'eh?!